Training, Credentials, and Therapeutic Approach

At Paradis Counselling, therapy is approached with warmth, curiosity, and respect for each person’s unique story. My work is grounded in the belief that healing is not about “fixing” who you are, but about understanding your experiences, reconnecting with yourself, and building tools that support emotional well being, self awareness, and meaningful change.

I hold a diploma from Kelowna College and am a registered MPCC with the CPCA. Alongside my formal education and professional designation, I continue to engage in ongoing training and learning to deepen both my personal growth and my work with clients. I believe that being a counsellor also means remaining a lifelong learner, staying open, reflective, and committed to developing skills that better support the people I work with.

My Therapeutic Approach

My counselling approach is trauma informed, compassionate, and collaborative. This means we move at a pace that feels respectful and safe for you, while paying attention to how past experiences, stress, relationships, and nervous system responses may be shaping what you are experiencing today.

I draw from several therapeutic approaches and practices, depending on your needs, goals, and comfort level. These may include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, can help you explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and behaviours. CBT may be useful when working with anxiety, depression, stress, self criticism, overwhelm, and unhelpful patterns that feel difficult to change.

Internal Family Systems Informed Practice ( IFS)

IFS informed counselling recognizes that we can have different “parts” within us. For example, one part may want change, while another part may feel afraid, protective, angry, or stuck. This approach can help create more self understanding, compassion, and inner balance.

Somatic Approaches

Somatic approaches pay attention to the connection between the body and emotional experience. Stress, trauma, anxiety, and grief can often show up physically through tension, heaviness, restlessness, fatigue, or feeling disconnected. By gently noticing the body’s signals, clients can begin to build more awareness, grounding, and regulation.

Polyvagal Informed Practice

Polyvagal theory helps us understand how the nervous system responds to safety, stress, connection, and threat. This can be especially helpful for clients who experience anxiety, shutdown, emotional overwhelm, trauma responses, or difficulty feeling calm and connected.

Mindfulness and Self Compassion

Mindfulness and self compassion practices can support clients in slowing down, noticing their inner experience, and responding to themselves with more kindness rather than judgment. These practices may help with emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, self criticism, and feeling more present in daily life.

Emotional Freedom Techniques

I have completed Level 1 training in Emotional Freedom Techniques, often known as EFT or tapping. EFT combines gentle tapping on specific points of the body with focused awareness. Some clients find this helpful for stress reduction, emotional regulation, anxiety, and grounding.

Trauma Informed Counselling

A trauma informed approach means recognizing that difficult experiences can affect the mind, body, emotions, relationships, and sense of safety. In therapy, we focus on creating a space where you feel respected, supported, and in control of your process. You do not need to share everything at once, and healing does not need to be rushed.

Ongoing Learning and Growth

My practice is shaped by continuous learning. I am committed to expanding my knowledge, deepening my self awareness, and strengthening the tools I bring into the counselling room. This ongoing growth supports my ability to meet clients with greater care, presence, and understanding.

Therapy is not one size fits all. Together, we can explore what approach feels most supportive for you and adjust the work based on your needs, goals, and comfort.